Life As Donald Trump's Apprentice

How did you become Donald Trump's Apprentice?

I became Donald Trump's apprentice because through 14 weeks of intense job tasks, and in less than superb living conditions, like being outside in a tent, being in the rain, being in the mist, being in the heat, living with a port a potty for nine people, not having refrigeration, not have electricity and not having anyone to you know, none of the creature comforts. When that is all stripped away from you, and you have not had enough sleep, and you are stressed out, when it is about what it really made of? What is your basic make up? How persistent are you? How confident are you? How fearless are you? And how willing are you to go the extra mile in less than optimum circumstances? That is what is it is all about. It is about being a survivor. It is like the Kanye West song Survivor. What does not kill you makes you stronger, and that is absolutely true. It is about your character.

What kind of education does it take to be a Donald Trump's Apprentice?

Mr. Trump places high value in education as I think most companies in today's society probably do. Being the head of a large organization he wants people to be well-spoken and well-educated because it helps them to make rational, well thought out decisions. It's really all about a general philosophy and a general mindset in how you conduct yourself. I think the whole college process for young people today is mostly beneficial because it's a process of how to think, how to think professionally, how to survive in a business environment. It's a set of tools that I like to call Grade 13 that help you and are very necessary, imperative in fact if you're going to succeed in today's society no matter what your trade is, no matter what your chosen profession. High school doesn't cut it anymore. A college education, a good college education, and I don't mean warming the seat, I mean paying attention.

What does it take to be a good Apprentice?

You have to absolutely give it your all, every single day and pretend like you're still living in the tent and the situation is less than optimal. You just have to go in there with confidence and enthusiasm and a great attitude every single day. It takes a tirelessness that is unparalleled. It takes drive. It's an internal fire; it's the only way I can express it. Your thirst for knowledge and for wanting to be the best that you can be and being competitive with yourself, not necessarily with other people. It's like golf. Golf is a game of perseverance. It's intensely frustrating, you can never beat the game and it's a lifetime pursuit. It's your own personal best. Golf is the epitome of your own personal best. And so you can enjoy it with other people but it's all really all about what you can do to improve yourself. And that's what education does for you, that's what being a great Apprentice is all about. And it's also about learning, taking in the knowledge from people older than you who have been around, who have been doing it. Absorb from Mr. Trump. L earn from his life lessons, his recommendations, his mannerisms, learn from what he tells you. He's very, very open with his advice and his knowledge and all you really have to do is have an interest and keep your ears open.

What's the best part of being Donald Trump's Apprentice?

Oh, I think the best part of being Donald Trump's Apprentice is that I get to hear this wealth of knowledge straight from the horse's mouth. I can call Mr. Trump and say, "Mr. Trump, what do you think about XYZ?" And this gentleman will tell me from his life experience what has made him so successful, or how best to conquer an obstacle, how to overcome something. He's brilliant and he's at my disposal and all I have to do is ask. I mean, to not use that resource is unforgiveable.

What's the worst part of being Donald Trump's Apprentice?

That he's in New York and I'm in California, I really wish he was closer so I could run into his office and say, "What do you think about this?" or "What do you think about that?" The only thing I would complain about is the distance, but there really isn't a worst part. Again, it's your outlook. I'm a very positive person so to me, this is all fabulous.

Do Donald Trump's Apprentices make a lot of money?

Whether something is a lot of money is really an individual judgement call. A lot of money to me might not be a lot of money to you. So I would never be so bold as to make that assessment. All I can say is it isn't about the money you make and whether it's enough as an Apprentice. It's about what you're able to learn from the experience.